Dec 16, 2008 11:00 pm US/Central
District Bans Helper Dog For Boy With Autism
ST. PAUL (WCCO) ―
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Throughout the day, Newman is connected to Wally with a harness. It's for safety and, according to Wally's parents and doctors, to encourage social interaction.
CBS
When 8-year-old Wally LaBerge runs to things he loves -- like elevators or people he knows across the street -- his 3-year-old Golden Retriever, Newman, is there to hold him back.
Throughout the day, Newman is connected to Wally with a harness. It's for safety and, according to Wally's parents and doctors, to encourage social interaction.
"It makes it easier for Wally to interact with other kids. Newman is a natural thing for them to talk about," said Victoria LaBerge, Wally's mother.
Wally has autism and has difficulty talking to people. Last year, his doctors and aides suggested a service dog might help with anxiety and interaction. Wally went through a rigorous application process with a private service dog agency was eventually accepted for the program last fall.
At the time, Victoria told the teachers at Como Park Elementary, Wally would be bringing a dog to school this year.
"Everyone felt that this would be something that Wally could benefit from," she said.
The St. Paul School District does not have a service dog policy, so Como Park Elementary told Victoria they'd have Newman come to school on a trial basis. For three weeks, Wally's team gathered numeric data on his social interaction and anxiety.
"We first must determine if the dog is needed in order for the child to benefit from special education," said Cecelia Dodge, St. Paul School District's Director of Special Education. She declined to discuss the specifics of Wally's case.
Victoria said the district would not provide a handler, so she volunteered to go to school with Wally and Newman each day. She said Como Park Elementary set strict rules to prevent Victoria from interfering with the learning process.
To the school, that meant Victoria wasn't allowed to talk to Wally or any of the other children in the class. Victoria thought the trial run unfair because she believed it was too short and didn't allow Newman and Wally to interact like they'd been trained.
"They essentially interfered with the team process of Wally and Newman," she said.
On Wednesday, Victoria met with Wally's team at Como Park Elementary. They told her Newman wasn't allowed back to school.
"What we're required to do is provide things that the child needs to get a free and appropriate public education. So there's a legal standard that we have to meet," said Dodge.
The decision disappointed the LaBerges.
"It's very upsetting to me that the only places where we've had difficulties is in the school," said Victoria.
Dodge said the LaBerges can protest the decision and mediate an agreement within the school. Instead, the LaBerges decided to file a lawsuit. Victoria said she hoped it would get Newman back in school more quickly. She also hopes it would help other children with autism.
"I could not walk away from this. I know that Newman helps Wally," she said.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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